Rep. Courtney, House Pass Mental Health Parity Bill Improving Equity for Sufferers of Mental Illness, Addiction

Press Release

Congressman Joe Courtney today voted in favor of H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007, introduced by Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy introduced in March last year.

"This is important legislation that will bring fairness and equity to those who suffer some of the most debilitating disorders, including mental illness and drug addiction," stated Courtney. "For many sufferers, these conditions can be treated, but only if they have access to affordable care."

The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 carries on the legacy of the late Senator Paul Wellstone's fight to end discrimination of treatment for mental illness.

Currently, health insurance companies do not provide equal benefits for mental health disorders and drug addiction as with other physical diseases. However, Congressman Courtney believes that these disorders are equally devastating and should be treated with parity in regards to insurance coverage.

The State of Connecticut has provided some parity for mental illness since 1999, and this legislation build upon Connecticut's initiative and begins providing equity nationally.

H.R. 1424 would not mandate that health insurance carriers offer new mental health coverage, but it would require that those currently providing mental illness coverage provide the same coverage as physical illnesses.

This legislation would also require that individuals be provided the same mental health coverage as Members of Congress. Members of Congress and federal employees have extensive coverage of all illnesses under the DSM code (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual).

"Mental illness and drug addiction are every bit as real and serious as physical illness," Courtney added. "And by providing intervention and early treatment we may be able to prevent more serious and costly conditions down the road."

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